Actins ; metabolism ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Keratin-8 ; metabolism ; Kidney Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Vimentin ; metabolism

Objective:To explore the association between interleukin(IL)-28B single nucleotide polymorphisms and natural outcome of hepatitis C virus.Methods:The IL-28B rs12979860 locus was genotyped in 266 HCV infected volunteer blood donors(107 spontaneous cleared and 159 chronic infection) and 97 healthy controls using Sanger sequencing assay.The difference in rs12979860 genotypes and allele frequencies between the six groups(107 spontaneous cleared and 159 chronic infection,266 HCV infection and 97 healthy controls,159 chronic infection and 97 healthy controls) were analyzed by statistics.Results:159 HCV chronic infection,107 spontaneous cleared and 97 healthy controls,were shown more CC genotype,accounting for 83.6%,95.3%and 86.6%,respectively, while the CT genotype accounted for 16.4%,4.7%and 13.4%respectively.No TT genotype was found.The CC/CT genotype was not significant difference between HCV infection and healthy controls,chronic infection and healthy controls(χ2=0.204,P=0.652;χ2=0.406,P=0.524),but between chronic infections and spontaneous clearance had statistically significant(χ2=8.474,P=0.004),the frequence of C allele in spontaneous cleared was higher than HCV chronic infection(χ2=7.949,P=0.005).Conclusion: The gene polymorphism of IL-28B rs12979860 is not related to HCV susceptibility,but there are differences in chronic infection and spontaneous cleared,showing the C allelic in favor of HCV spontaneous cleaed.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Shenmai Injection (SMI) on L-type calcium channel of diaphragmatic muscle cells in rats.

METHODSSingle diaphragmatic muscle cell of rats was obtained by the acute enzyme isolation method and the standard whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record the inward peak L-type calcium current (IPLC) and current-voltage relationship curve of diaphragmatic muscle cells of 7 rats, and to compare the effects of SMI in various concentrations on them.

RESULTSWhen keeping the electric potential at -80 mV, stimulation frequency 0.5 Hz, clamp time 300 ms, stepped voltage 10 mV, and depolarized to +60 mV, 10 microliters/ml of SMI could only cause the mean IPLC of rat's diaphragmatic muscle cells increased from -6.9 +/- 0.6 pA/pF to -7.5 +/- 0.7 pA/pF, the amplification being (9.2 +/- 2.8)%, comparison between those of pre-treatment and post-treatment showed insignificant difference. But when the concentration of SMI increased to 50 microliters/ml and 100 microliters/ml, the mean IPLC increased to -8.4 +/- 0.6 pA/pF and -9.2 +/- 0.6 pA/pF, respectively, and the amplification was (22.4 +/- 1.7)% and (34.6 +/- 4.6)% respectively, showing significant difference to that of pre-treatment (P < 0.05). However, SMI showed no significant effect on maximal activation potential and reversal potential.

CONCLUSIONSMI can activate the calcium channel of diaphragmatic muscle cells in rats, increase the influx of Ca2+, so as to strengthen the contraction of diaphragmatic muscle, which may be one of the ionic channel mechanisms of SMI in treating diaphragmatic muscle fatigue in clinical practice.

Animals ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; metabolism ; Diaphragm ; metabolism ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Female ; Male ; Muscle Contraction ; drug effects ; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal ; metabolism ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo explore family risk factors of overweight and obesity focusing on parental characteristics, feeding practice and lifestyle.

METHODSFive kindergartens were selected randomly from two of all the six urban districts in Beijing. The body height and weight of all the children in the 5 kindergartens were measured in light clothing and without shoes. Information on parental characteristics, dietary habits, lifestyle, and feeding practice was collected from 1173 families by parental self-report questionnaires in the 5 kindergartens. Overweight and obesity were defined according to sex- and age-specific body mass index (BMI) cut-points proposed by the International Obesity Task Force. Correlations and multivariate regression analysis was used to explore risk factors of child overweight and obesity.

RESULTSThe prevalence of overweight and obesity was 6.9% and 4.1%, respectively, among the sample children. Significantly more overweight and obese children were from obese families (15.2%) than they were from non-obese families (7.5%). Significant associations could be observed between children and parents' characteristics for BMI, frequency of eating in restaurant, television-watching hours, and physical activity hours. Parental obesity, low maternal education level and television watching for > 2 h/d were risk factors of child overweight and obesity after adjusting for sex, age, family income, and kindergarten.

CONCLUSIONSChild overweight and obesity were influenced by family environment. Strategies for prevention should include identified family risk factors.

Body Height ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Child, Preschool ; Exercise ; Feeding Behavior ; Humans ; Life Style ; Multivariate Analysis ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Overweight ; epidemiology ; Parents ; Prevalence ; Regression Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Television

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of intracellular 5-lipoxygenase on oxidation of benzidine in HBE cells and to provide further evidence that lipoxygenase is an alternative pathway for the oxidation of xenobiotics mediated by cytochrome P450.

METHODSEnzyme system test: Soybean lipoxygenase (SLO), substrate (benzidine) and other components reacted in the enzyme system, followed by detection of the reaction products by spectrophotometry. In vitro test: After HBE cells were exposed to benzidine, the protein levels of 5-lipoxygenase in HBE cells were assessed by Western-blot, and the DNA damage by the single cell gel electrophoresis. At last, the effect of the specific inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (AA861) on 5-lipoxygenase protein expression and DNA damage in HBE cells were detected.

RESULTSSLO could catalyze the co-oxidation of benzidine to generate benzidine diimine in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Under optimal condition, numax value of the oxidation of benzidine catalyzed by SLO was 1.42 nmol*min(-1) SLO, and the Km value of benzidine was 1.48 mmol/L. EGCG could inhibit the oxidation of benzidine by SLO. Benzidine could induce 5-lipoxygenase protein expression in HBE cells, but AA861 was invalid. Benzidine caused DNA damage in HBE cells, which could be significantly inhibited by AA861.

CONCLUSION5-LOX protein expression in HBE cells can be regulated by benzidine, which suggests that the co-oxidation of benzidine by 5-LOX could produce into electrophile that could covalently bind to DNA and induce DNA damage, which could be one of the mechanisms for carcinogenesis of BZD. 5-LOX inhibitor AA861 can inhibit this effect.

Arachidonate 5-Lipoxygenase ; metabolism ; Benzidines ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA Damage ; drug effects ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects of mannitol and hypertonic saline (HS) in treatment of intracranial hypertension (ICH) of rabbits.

METHODSThe animal mode of ICH was established by perfusing artificial cerebrospinal fluids (aCSF) with controlled pressure into the cerebral ventricles of rabbits. The mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, tidal volume, perfusion rate of aCSF and water content of cerebrum were investigated in rabbits with ICH after a single bolus of 20% mannitol (5 ml/kg), 7.5% HS (2.2 ml/kg) or 23.4% HS (2.2 ml/kg).

RESULTSAfter the intracranial pressure was elevated from 15 cmH₂O to 75 cmH₂O, the mean arterial pressure was increased and the tidal volume was decreased. After treatment by 20% mannitol, 7.5% HS or 23.4% HS, the increased percentage of mean arterial pressure and the decreased percentage of tidal volume were similar to the changes in control group. However, the perfusion rate of CSF was increased and water content of cerebrum was decreased after treatment by either 20% mannitol or 23.4% HS, but not by 7.5% HS. No different effects were found between 20% mannitol and 23.4% HS.

CONCLUSIONWith the similar osmotic burden, 20% mannitol is more effective in treating ICH than 7.5% HS. With higher osmotic load, the efficacy of HS is enhanced, and 23.4% HS may be used as an alternative to mannitol in treatment of ICH.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Intracranial Hypertension ; drug therapy ; Male ; Mannitol ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Rabbits ; Saline Solution, Hypertonic ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use

The purpose of this study was to establish the phospho-specific flow cytometry (phospho-flow) to detect the phosphorylated signaling proteins of leukemia cells and to evaluate its useful value in leukemia study. The bone marrow of leukemia children was collected, and treated by phospho-flow of extracted mononuclear cells (MNC) and phospho-flow of directly fixed bone marrow (BM) respectively. In phospho-flow of extracted MNC, the MNC extracted from BM were fixed and permeabilized, then were cultured with P-AKT and P-ERK1/2, finally were analyzed by flow cytometry. In phospho-flow of directly fixed BM, the BM was treated with fixation/lysis buffer and 90% methanol, then were incubated with the surface CD antibody, P-AKT and P-ERK1/2, finally the treated BM cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The results showed that the positive rates of P-AKT and P-ERK1/2 in MNC treated by phospho-flow of extracted MNC of 26 leukemia children were 46.2% and 30.8% respectively, while the positive rates of P-AKT and P-ERK1/2 in BM treated by phospho-flow of directly fixed BM were 50.0% and 38.5% respectively. The comparison of positive rates of P-AKT and P-ERK1/2 between the 2 treatment protocol showed no difference (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the phospho-flow of directly fixed BM established by our laboratory can be used to analyze the signaling proteins of leukemia cells.
Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; methods ; Humans ; Infant ; Leukemia ; metabolism ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUNDA few recent studies have reported that inflammation is associated with the prognosis of acute aortic dissection (AD). There is, however, no systemic investigation regarding the role of plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC) levels in predicting in-hospital clinical events of acute type A AD.

METHODSThe levels of high-sensitivity CRP and WBC counts were systemically determined after admission in 36 patients with acute type A AD. The variations of plasma CRP and WBC levels in different time windows (admission, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 days) in patients with acute type A AD were analyzed between patients with events and without events.

RESULTSDuring hospitalization, five patients died, and increased levels of CRP and WBC were found in patients died with acute type A AD compared with patients survived (P < 0.01, respectively). Medical treatment may significantly decrease inflammatory response in survived patients with acute type A AD. Additionally, patients with complication of pleural effusion showed higher CRP and WBC levels (P = 0.046, P = 0.018, respectively). Lower WBC levels were found in survived patients treated medically (P = 0.001). Moreover, mean CRP and WBC levels had positive correlations with aortic diameter (r = 0.364, P = 0.000; r = 0.333, P = 0.000, respectively) and age (r = 0.270, P = 0.000, respectively), while negative correlations with the time from onset of symptoms to hospital admission (r = -0.229, P = 0.000, r = -0.200, P = 0.002, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years, CRP ≥ 12.05 mg/L, WBC ≥ 12.16 × 10(9)/L, aortic diameter ≥ 48 mm, pleural effusion and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 105 mmHg were associated with hospital mortality. While CRP ≥ 12.05 mg/L, WBC ≥ 12.16 × 10(9)/L, aortic diameter ≥ 48 mm were strongly associated with hospital mortality in multiple Logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONSThe results suggested that CRP and WBC were preferred markers for predicting the clinical events in patients with acute type A AD, especially death during hospitalization. Therefore, further study enrolling larger cohort, prospective study would be warranted.

Adult ; Aneurysm, Dissecting ; blood ; diagnosis ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic ; blood ; diagnosis ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; methods ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVECorrection of craniofacial dysostosis with midface distraction osteotogenesis.

METHODSLe Fort III osteotomy has been employed through coronal route on patients with midface craniofacial dysostosis such as Crouzon and Apert syndrome. Then a REDII distraction device was set up, and the device bars directed. The distraction begins 6.4 days after the surgery, with a rate of 1 mm per day. When midface approaching the right position, i.e. an slightly over correction of occlusion is reached, the distraction stops and the device is held for the next 2-4 months.

RESULTSThere are 8 cases completed all the therapy with an average age of 11.9 years old. The midface had been moved averagely 9.7 mm forwards and 1.6 mm downwards. The features had been improved obviously and the occlusions reach nearly normal. The exophthalmos reduced from 20.3 mm to 11.9 mm. In cephalometry, SNA was averagely enlarged 9 degrees, and ANB enlarged 8.8 degrees. The snore during sleeping was also improved in 87.5% cases. No serious complication had occurred except minor one such as 1 case of seroma and 1 case of infection around pin on scalp. According to 5 months averagely follow-up, there is no recurrence in our list.

CONCLUSIONSMidface distraction osteotogenesis is propitious to teenage or severe cases of craniofacial dysostosis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Craniofacial Dysostosis ; surgery ; Face ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; methods ; Traction ; methods

OBJECTIVEThe key feature of Treacher-Collin's syndrome is malar dysostosis. The article focused on malar reconstruction for Treacher-Collin's syndrome and compared the implant materials.

METHODSFrom 1994 to 2002, a total of 55 patients with Treacher-Collin's syndrome were treated with malar reconstruction. In the operation, the lateral orbital rim and the mala were exposed by the bicoronal incision or the subciliary incision. The mala was augmented and reconstructed with implants of different materials, including autologous bone (rib, ilia or cranium). Medpor biomaterial or bone cement.

RESULTSThe operations of the 55 patients were all successful without infection. The satisfactory rate in facial contour was 90%. Implant exclusion occurred in 2 cases using hone cement.

CONCLUSIONMalar reconstruction is the most important treatment for Treacher-Collin's syndrome. Every implant material has advantages and shortcomings. Autologous hone is the best material for malar reconstruction. Medpor is the best artificial material, with good histocompatibility, without exclusion, absorption and donor injury.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Cements ; Bone Transplantation ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mandibulofacial Dysostosis ; surgery ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome ; Zygoma ; surgery